We had several staff members attend the National Eucharistic Congress. They will be sharing some of their thoughts and experiences about this awe inspiring event with us over the next few weeks.
The National Eucharistic Congress exceeded my expectations. When I walked into the Lucas Oil Stadium for the first time and saw over 50,000 other Catholics filling the stadium, I felt a connection and belonging to the same family sharing the same faith, love and devotion to the Holy Eucharist.
We prayed the rosary together as one, we prayed and sang during the Mass and kneeled in total silence .... Read the entire reflection from parishioner, Debbie Shearn
The National Eucharistic Congress exceeded my expectations. When I walked into the Lucas Oil Stadium for the first time and saw over 50,000 other Catholics filling the stadium, I felt a connection and belonging to the same family sharing the same faith, love and devotion to the Holy Eucharist.
We prayed the rosary together as one, we prayed and sang during the Mass and kneeled in total silence during Eucharistic Adoration. The focus for the entire Congress was on the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. There were over 1,000 priest, 100 Bishops and Cardinals, Deacons, Seminarians, and more Orders of Sisters than I even knew existed. What an amazing sight when they all processed in before and after a Mass and during the Eucharistic Procession all through the downtown area of Indianapolis. As we walked from the Stadium to the Convention Center, I saw Sisters stopping to talk with some of the homeless and bringing them food and other Sisters stopping young women that were walking by in the evening giving them a rose and asking if they could talk with them for a few minutes. Many of the workers and security personnel commented that this event was the easiest event they had ever worked at due to the love and kindness of the many that attended. I heard from others that some of the workers that were in the Stadium were also touched by the Eucharistic Adoration when they saw the reverence and love as well as some of the talks they heard and were asking questions on what it all meant.
The speakers were all spot on with the message and gave powerful talks but what stands out to me the most is the Friday evening Eucharistic Adoration with Fr. Boniface Hicks. He prayed a Litany of Healing and Reconciliation that touched me deeply. And the second most powerful moment for me was the Eucharistic Procession all through Downtown Indianapolis. The sidewalks and road were packed with people waiting to see the Eucharistic procession go by and so many dropping to their knees in adoration. Also, so many young families with very young children attended the entire five days.
This was a once in a lifetime experience for me. When I was kneeling during Eucharistic Adoration the entire Stadium was darkened and the spotlights all shone down upon the Eucharist in the Monstrance it made me reflect on the Transfiguration when Peter, James and John were on Mt. Tabor and saw Jesus transfigured before their eyes. And like them, I wanted to stay on the mountain, but I knew I must come back down and share what I saw, what I heard, what I felt, and what I experienced with my family and those in my parish and community and possibly beyond.
Bishop Cozzens said, “We have lived an experience of Heaven!”
I also love this quote from Archbishop Fulton Sheen, “Don’t just go to Mass”, “Live the Mass!”
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th AFTER the MASSES
God has given every member of St. Albert a unique talent to share! Come to the St. Albert Ministry Fair to learn how you can share the talents you have been given and meet other members who have similar interests to you. (singing, teaching, community outreach, leadership, cooking, landscaping, decorating, athletics and many more...) Learn about the many ministries and volunteer opportunies in our parish. Ask questions and discover where God is calling you to serve!
Or just come for the donuts and coffee! Hospitality weekend will be at the Ministry Fair and not in the gathering space in September.
Join us for "Updates with Fr. Chris" on Facebook Live on Friday mornings. Stay up to date on worship, formation, service, and parish life! Each update begins and ends with a prayer and includes a teaching moment about the Catholic faith. Find us on our Facebook page @stalbertchurchky
SEPTEMBER 22nd - OCTOBER 1st
MASS at 5:00pm | CONFESSIONS 6:00-9:30pm
September 22, Day 1: Healing of the Evils & Victims of Wars
September 23, Day 2: Healing for Chronic & Terminal Illness (Anointing of the Sick during Mass)
September 24, Day 3: Healing After the Loss of a Loved One
September 25, Day 4: Healing of the Disease of Addiction
September 26, Day 5: Healing for Broken & Struggling Marriages
September 27, Day 6: Healing for Those Who Have Journeyed through Abortion
September 28, Day 7: Healing for Those Who Struggle with Mental Illness
September 29, Day 8: Healing for Past Sins
September 30, Day 9: Healing for Victims of Abuse
October 1, Day 10: Feast Day Mass in Thanksgiving (Celebrant will be Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre)
You are invited to place intentions in a basket for yourself, for family & friends, or any other cause which will be brought before an image of St. Thérèse during the Novena. You are also invited to bring roses for the altar & sanctuary each night of the Novena. A blessing with her relic will be given after each Mass.
*Masses on September 22nd, 28th & 29th fulfills obligation for Sunday Mass.
“The choir enhances the beauty of the liturgy by contributing a musical dimension to the celebration that the congregation alone cannot achieve” (Sing to the Lord: Music in Catholic Worship, USCCB). The new choir season is about to begin! Rehearsals are held every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the church beginning September 4th. The choir sings at the Sunday 10:30 a.m. Mass beginning September 8th. New members are always welcome. For more information, contact Laura Sullivan, Director of Music and Worship at 425-3940 or lsullivan@stalbert.org.
the joy of connecting with and giving back to the community of St. Albert
the joy of music – words cannot sufficiently describe the power of beautiful harmony
the joy of friendship and camaraderie across generations
the joy of working hard with a group to achieve a common goal
the joy of cultural enrichment – world renowned composers and arrangers;
text and music passed down to us through the ages
the joy of carrying on the enduring rituals of our Catholic Mass
the joy of personal growth
SEPTEMBER 15 & NOVEMBER 3
CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION, 12:00 PM
We have TWO special masses with Archbishop Fabre recognizing married couples celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2024.
Registration is now open for the first of the two events which recognizes those married 30, 40, 50, 60 years and beyond and will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2024. The Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Shelton at NOON at the Cathedral of the Assumption and all those recognized will receive a special certificate.
Couples are invited to send their names, address and number of years married to the parish office so they can be recognized at this special mass. Email rnash@stalbert.org or call the parish office at 425-3940. Registration deadline is Tuesday, September 3rd.
The dates, times and locations are as follows:
The Anniversary Mass for couples celebrating 30, 40, 50 and 60+ years married will take place at noon at the Cathedral of the Assumption on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
The Anniversary Mass for couples celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years married will take place at noon at the Cathedral of the Assumption on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Please come join us to celebrate so many wonderful years of married love!
Dates: Wednesday, September 4, for 8 weeks, ending Wednesday, October 23.
Times: Morning, 10:00 to 11:30am; Evenings, 7:00 to 8:30
Location. St. Joseph's Room, inside the church
Everyone is invited; however, it is recommended that you watch Seasons 1, 2 and 3 beforehand. No fee is required, no materials are needed.
Any questions or concerns, you may contact Diane Thompson at dt101thompson@gmail.com and/or 770-722-0443 (please leave a message).
SEPTEMBER 7th, NOVEMBER 2nd, FEBRUARY 8th, APRIL 12th
8:30am-1:00pm in the PLC
Cost: $200 for 4 sessions (breakfast, coffee, refreshments included)
Come join us for Year 3 of Grace Marriage! After last year’s amazing response from the St. Albert community, we are excited to continue to grow this ministry. Last year, 27 couples (ranging from 3-47 years married) spent time investing in each other. Grace Marriage is an intentional, ongoing, small group approach to marriage enrichment where couples spend time every 90 days in conversation focusing on their relationship. To learn more about Grace Marriage, please visit www.gracemarriage.com. Contact Mark and Erin Morris at erin.ebelhar@gmail.com if you have any questions. Deadline to register is August 25th.
We are in the process of scheduling and starting special sacrament classes for students who need to catch up on their sacraments or who wish to become Catholic. If that is the case, please contact Sr. Sarah at syungwirth@stalbert.org or use the link below and return to the parish or school office.
On Wednesday, August 28th at 6:30pm in the PLC, there will be an information meeting for all parents of students who will be receiving the sacrament of First Holy Communion in November 2024. Please contact Sr. Sarah at syungwirth@stalbert.org if you have questions.
An Autumn Weekend of Prayer, Reflection and Fellowship
OCTOBER 25 – 27, 2024
MOUNT ST FRANCIS SPIRITUAL CENTER
with Fr. Vincent Petersen, OFM Conv.
Men are called to lives of virtue and holiness. This summons requires us to move out of our old ways of thinking and living towards new understandings of ourselves in relationship with God, others and God’s creation. This quest is a pilgrimage filled with hope and adventure as we seek together the ways of holiness. Join with your brothers, uncles, fathers and friends in an autumn weekend of prayer, reflection and fellowship on the beautiful grounds of Mt. St. Francis.
Arrival/Departure: From 6:00 pm Friday evening to Noon on Sunday.
Cost: $250.00 (Includes 2 nights) OR $125.00 (Commuter Fee)
The retreat will include: Private room, 6 talks, 4 meals (First meal on Saturday morning), Mass, Rosary, Divine Office and plenty of time for quiet and reflection. Also available will be opportunities for spiritual direction, confession, faith sharing and fellowship.
A peaceful weekend, designed for women
OCTOBER 18 - OCTOBER 20
MOUNT ST FRANCIS SPIRITUAL CENTER
Join us for a peaceful weekend, designed for women who wish to deepen their spiritual peace and connection with God, amidst the beauty of autumn. This retreat will explore creative ways to pray through nature, silence, and the arts, embracing the changing season. Delve into innovative prayer methods, embracing the tranquility of nature, the introspective power of silence, and the expressive richness of the arts.
Facilitator: Annie Behymer
Cost: $250.00 per person
Arrival: Friday, October 18th 7pm.
Departure: Sunday, October 20th 12pm.
Included with this retreat is a private room in our Loftus House, four meals, facilitator, and retreat materials. Also included, is an opportunity for personal spiritual direction and confession, fostering an intimate and nurturing atmosphere.
Our next Loaves & Fishes Collection benefiting the Saint Vincent de Paul will be the weekend of September 7th & 8th. They are in need of the following: Proteins such as canned tuna, canned chicken, SPAM & peanut butter. The are also in need of cleaning supplies such as laundry detergent, dish soap, all purpose cleaners and bleach.
AUGUST 10TH - 25TH
Last weekend to bring in shoes!
Our Social Concerns committee in conjunction with our Grade School and PREP Program are sponsoring a Gently Used Shoe Drive for Waterstep from August 10th-August 25th.
Waterstep uses the profits from selling these shoes to provide water treatment facilities where desperately needed throughout the world. Please deposit them in the boxes in the gathering space or give them to a child in our school or PREP class.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th
9AM to 3PM | Truck will be located behind the rectory
Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services is resettling around 180 people in the months of August and September. The Social Concerns Committee will be hosting thier annual drive on Saturday, September 14th from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Your generous donations of gently used home good items can make a significant difference in the lives of families as they rebuild their homes and communities. They are in particular need of kitchenwares, unopened hygiene products, cleaning products and gently used furniture. To view the list of accepted items click the button below.
NOT ACCEPTED FURNITURE
Singular Loveseats
Sleeper Sofas
Chaise Lounges
Recliners
Bed Frames, Box Springs, Mattresses
Desks
Office Chairs or Storage
Framed Artwork
Home Decor Items
Closet or Armoire Systems
Large Entertainment Centers
Curio or China Cabinets
Tech older than 10yrs. (laptops, TVS, etc.)
Cribs older than 5yrs
NOT ACCEPTED KITCHENWARE
Tea Plates
Decorative Dishware
China
Crystal or Silver Serve ware
Niche items (dip trays, gravy boats, etc.)
Stemware
Steins
Reusable Water Bottles
Tupperware
Tablecloths
NOT ACCEPTED LINENS
Queen Size Sheets
King Size Sheets
Queen Size Blankets or Comforters
King Size Blankets or Comforters
Decorative Pillows/Throw Pillows
Throw Blankets w specific iconography
If you are interested in touring and/or applying for the 2025/2026 school year, please refer to our school website under the Admissions tab for detailed information about the Admissions Process. We have made several changes to our application dates and admission policies. For questions, contact Janelle Richardson at jrichardson@stalbert.org.
For detailed information about our 2025-2026 admissions process and to download our new student application, please visit the links below. Or read or download the School Admissions Process PDF document.
Looking for brotherhood and a strong sense of community? The St. Albert Men's Fellowship is just for you!
All our parish brothers are invited to come meet other like-minded men interested in forming strong friendships, deepening their faith, and participating in service. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 17:17
Join the Fellowship on Thursday, September 5th at 7:30pm in the Cafeteria to kick off the NFL season, tailgate potluck style! Bring your best tailgate dip/snack/appetizer and join us for a night of football, drinks, cornhole, and fellowship. Ravens @ Chiefs kicks off at 8:20PM.
The group is always brainstorming ideas for future social gatherings and ways to get involved in parish life. If interested in attending, please click the link (https://share.hsforms.com/1UGo6tc_4TNCgtkg4NjwcVgpyaxe) to fill out the form and tell us more about yourself. If you have any questions, please contact Nick Norcia at NLNorcia@gmail.com
Proceeds benefit the Steven Vanover Foundation!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th, 1:30pm
EAGLE CREEK GOLF COURSE
The foundation supports initiatives that meet patients' needs and fund the science that leads to cures for sarcoma and other rare cancers. The foundation also provides academic scholarships including The Steven Vanover Award & Scholarship at St. Albert the Great Catholic School, where Steven graduated in 2004. The annual award and scholarship is presented to an eighth-grade student, and can be used toward high school expenses.
The 8th Grade Class of 2025 is selling mums to raise funds to help offset the cost of their spring trip to Washington, DC, Gettysburg, and New York City. Please consider pre-ordering your mums by sending an email to Lizzie Minton (lizzie.minton@gmail.com). Mums are $20 and come in 10 inch pots. They would be a beautiful addition to your home or business this fall! Pre-sales end on September 10th, and mums will be delivered the week of September 16th. The 8th graders will also be selling mums after all masses the weekend of September 21 and 22, but pre-ordering is the best way to guarantee you get the colors you want!
Attention Scrapbookers! Grab a friend or family member and make some memories while preserving your memories!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12th, 9am-9pm
IN THE PLC
WEEK ENDING August 18:
Cash & Check: $19,814.00
Online Giving: $17,884.07
Total Rcvd as of August 19th for FY 2024-25: $238,988.33
Needed Budget as of August 19th for FY 2024-25: $248,630.96
Total Over/Under Budget: ($9,642.63)
Thank you to all who have blessed St. Albert the Great with gifts of treasure! It is through your generosity that our parish is able to meet our financial obligations and continue God's work of supporting and serving our community and those in need.
Use Online Giving (scan the featured QR code, visit www.stalbert.org, or download the Give+App--available free in Apple and Android app stores).
Text 877-254-4667 your gift amount and follow the prompts. Click here for more information about Text-to-Give.
Mail gifts of treasure to the Parish Office. Our mailing address is 1395 Girard Drive, Louisville, KY 40222.
Drop off donations to the Parish Office or leave securely in the black security mailbox located on the brick wall to the immediate left of the Parish Office entrance doors.
Planned Giving: Visit https://stalbert.org/giving for more information.
Please call 425-3940 with any questions about giving.
Another way you can give to the Parish this Christmas is through gifts of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. For more information about this type of donation please contact Larry Brunner at the parish office (lbrunner@stalbert.org).
St. Albert the Great, Pray for Us.